German Shorthaired Pointers - In Michigan



BACK TO HISTORY



In 1935, several dogs of a new hunting breed were shown at the Detroit Kennel Club Show in March. These dogs were of German origin and were publicized to be of such qualities as to serve as an all purpose hunting dog. They could hunt, find, and point our game birds, kill varmints, trail rabbits and other game, and serve as retrievers of upland birds and waterfowl.These dogs created considerable interest among the hunting fraternity. They were size-able animals with brown heads and brown and white ticked bodies and some had brown spots on the bodies. They were certainly new to this area. Further investigation revealed that there were very few of the breed in this country and only the odd breeder that was advertising.


A Mr. Wurster, who operated a dairy in Ann Arbor Michigan, was the Exhibitor who came to the Detroit Kennel Club Show. Later it was learned that several of his better dogs contracted distemper shortly after the show and died. Mr. Wurster never brought any more entries to the show. Mr. Wurster’s stud dog was an import for Switzerland, named Kronos V Habichtshof. This dog was of good size, compactly built and was lightly ticked of brown and white. Many of us saw this dog work in the field and readily accepted the claims made for as being a versatile dog. It was obvious that this dog would create a lasting influence on the breed in this area. I would venture to say that bloodlines of today’s leading Kennels in this area would be well sprinkled with Kronos V Habichtshof.


Dr. Charles R Thornton of Missoula Montana was advertising his “Bredrite Kennels.” His “Every Use” strains of breeding stock gradually became widespread in this country of course, all of his dogs were imported and from the basic and best bloodlines obtainable in Germany and Austria. Leonard Grinnell of Detroit, Michigan, owned a German Shorthaired Pointer female by the name of Mickey for which he had high praise. It was my privilege to hunt this dog on several occasions and she was everything claimed for her, and an ideal dog for the foot hunter in Michigan or any place where there was a variety of game to be pointed, trailed, killed and retrieved. This dog was obtained from Wurster’s Kennel in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Being so impressed with Mickey I purchased my first German Shorthaired Pointer in 1936 from Mr. Wurster.



A Dr. Meyer's of Ann Arbor, Michigan owned a female Wanda Gale Wyn sired by John Neuforsthaus, an import from Thornton kennels, In due time, young stock from these imported lines were available. William Ehrler, who lived near Mt Clemens, Michigan was one of the earliest owners of the breed in the greater Detroit area. Dr. Lemley obtained his address and called upon him with the direct purpose of discussing this new breed of dog. Fortunately for Dr. Lemley, and for the breed, he found Mr. Ehrler to be an apt student of the breed, and avid hunter and having the natural ability and willingness to impart factual information as translated from the German Literature.


Bill, as he was affectionately called, was a subscriber to current German hunting magazines and to the stud books issued each year, and he had many books on training and handling of his favorite breeds. What a find, to contact a man so well qualified as a breeder and exhibitor of the German Shepherd. Here was knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and a fellow owner. Needless to say that we visited together from time to time discussing frequently the history, development, and the characteristics of the breed. We compared and studied our dogs. Mr. Ehrler was German born and came to this country after World War I. Through his superior knowledge of breeding and training or dogs, he became a nationally recognized authority and judge of German Shepherds and German Shorthaired Pointers. He judged our 1953 Specialty Show and our 1956 Fall Trial.


In 1936 to 1939, there were a few more German Shorthaired Pointers in the Detroit area, and in 1936 William Ehrler and I agreed that if we were ever going to do anything to publicize our breed that we must exhibit at the show. This we did, and Bill took “Best of Breed” with his male Tell V Rheinberg. And I took “Best of Opposite Sex” with Silvia V Dusseldorf. A very auspicious beginning for this now A.K.C. recognized breed. Of course, the fact that we had the only entries in the show did not detract from the pride we held in those ribbons. Mr. U. R. Fischel, a famous breeder of pointers and chickens, was the Judge.


Another man appeared on the scene in the Detroit area by the name of Walter Schilk and he owned a dog called “Susie – Q” Walter was a friendly cooperative man who had a great zest for hunting. Susie – Q was just what he wanted for the Ringneck pheasant, In addition, this dog proved to be an excellent show dog and went on to win her AKC Championship, in fact, she was almost unbeatable. We often trained and hunted together in the hinterland of Detroit and frequently between this seven and eight mile roads near lahser road. This was, of course before progress ruined an area that was the finest of training grounds with plenty of pheasants and quail, and such varmints as raccoon, fox, and stray cats. Walter was destined later to become one of the club’s founders and the first secretary. He served admirably as secretary treasurer for a number of years and was a staunch supporter.



In 1939, Hjalmar Olsen, a mild mannered man of Danish extraction, arrived in the area preceded by a reputation as a bird dog trainer. He brought European knowledge of hunting dogs and several years of experience of hunting and training on the Canadian prairies of Saskatchewan. At this time, he was operating a boarding and training kennel at Utica, Michigan. Mr. Olsen has a love for the German Shorthaired Pointers which extended back to his boyhood days in Denmark when he owned such a dog. Mr. Olsen called one day and asked if he could see my two German Shorthaired Pointers and would I come to his training camp, then at Unionville, and show how the dogs worked in the field. We agreed to meet and I showed him that my dogs would hunt, find and point birds. After the field work was over, I expected him to make some comments on the work he has seen, No remakes were forthcoming, so without hesitation I asked “ How do you like my dogs? He replied “you have a pair of fine dogs, I like them very much, but they could be a lot better. Please let me take them to the prairie this summer for training. You come and hunt with me in Saskatchewan in the fall and after seeing the dogs at work if you are not convinced they are a lot better, it will not cost you anything for training.”


I had never heard of such an offer and I pondered it for a few days. I finally agreed to send one dog. I did go to Saskatchewan with two friends who also had sent dogs for training. We had an unforgettable hunt on pheasant, Prairie chicken, Sharp tail, Grouse, and Hungarian partridge, This was a hunting experience beyond our fondest dreams. Our dogs were better and we were convinced that a trained dog is the only kind to have. Thus began a period of my hunting life that has reached into detailed study of the breed and breeding principles, participation in shows, trials, and a very active life in the interest of the breed. Yes, Mr. Olsen changed my whole outlook on what a dog could and should do under proper training. He broadened my views and not only showed me how, but why.



SOURCE MATERIAL: